Health Study Technician

Job Summary:
The Merten Research Lab, under the direction of Dr. Natascha Merten, Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences and in the Department of Medicine (Geriatrics & Gerontology), and the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, is looking to hire a Health Study Technician for a new federally funded epidemiological study: The Beaver Dam Offspring Study-Neurocognitive Aging Study (BOSS-NCAS). The BOSS-NCAS is an 18-year follow-up study in the longitudinal Beaver Dam Offspring Study cohort. In this study, the Merten Lab aims to understand how sensory and cognitive decline co-occur in the process of aging and aims to determine risk factors and early markers for neurodegeneration and brain aging.

The Health Study Technician will be engaged in and contribute to exciting research by collecting high-quality data to support the innovative research on blood-based measures on physiological aging and neurodegeneration as well as clinically relevant research on potentially modifiable risk factors for hearing loss, vision loss, loss of smell and cognitive impairment and dementia.

An ideal candidate will have a strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills and experience following standard operating procedures. Candidates should enjoy engaging with a variety of people and be comfortable working collaboratively as well as individually.

The Health Study Technician will perform sensory (hearing, vision, and olfaction), and cognitive assessments, obtain anthropometric and blood pressure measures and contribute to data collection of research study participants, medical history and other lifestyle, behavioral and demographic information in accordance with study research protocols. Training and certification in all study protocols, phlebotomy, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will be provided.

The Health Study Technician will be responsible for collecting, tracking, processing, and shipping participant blood samples as needed. The Health Study Technicians will provide information to participants and answer any questions regarding the study. They will collaborate closely with research study staff and perform and participate in quality assurance activities. They will be responsible for maintaining study equipment and supplies on site.

Employees in this academic staff position will receive University of Wisconsin benefits, such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave, competitive insurances, savings accounts, and retirement benefits.

Most study appointments are scheduled during normal business hours Monday - Friday. To increase the availability of study appointments for our participants, the Health Study Technician can expect to work on approximately one Saturday a month and during early evening hours one day per week . Study appointment and work schedules will be set in advance. The primary work site will be the study offices in Beaver Dam, WI. Training and data review meetings will take place once a month in Madison, WI. A two week-long satellite clinic will be hosted in Minnesota, which will require out-of-state travel for which transportation, lodging, and meals will be provided.
Responsibilities: Coordinates clinical research studies, performing related tasks and activities. Collects information, recruits, screens, selects, determines eligibility, and enrolls study participants and ensures subjects follow the research protocol.

• 45% Recruits, screens, selects, determines eligibility and enrolls trial participants, collects information, and answers questions under supervision of a medically licensed professional. May perform basic medical assessments after completion of required training/certification, such as collecting vital signs, obtaining weight, and performing phlebotomy
• 45% Manages research workflow components, collects, prepares, processes, and submits participant data and samples to appropriate entities, adhering to research protocols
• 5% Identifies work unit resources needs and manages supply and equipment inventory levels
• 5% Serves as an initial point of contact for clinical research participants and clinical staff, providing information regarding research procedures, expectations, and informational inquiries. Ensures participants follow the research protocol and alerts Principal Investigator of issues

Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Preferred
Bachelor's Degreein Healthcare, Biological Science, or Social Science or closely related field
Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in human subject research, biomedical research, clinical research or related field with human subjects or patients
- Experience in research data collection
- Experience conducting face-to-face and/or telephone interviews
- Experience working with instrumentation, laboratory or clinical (such as audiometers, ocular imaging)
- Computer proficiency
- Previous phlebotomy or laboratory experience

Qualified applicants will have the following skills and abilities:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work with clinical and/or research instrumentation (such as audiometers, ocular imaging)
- Ability to communicate health-related information clearly and effectively
- Excellent attention-to-detail including the ability to follow protocols carefully and consistently
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
- Work experience that demonstrates dependability, flexibility, and maturity
- Willing to be trained in phlebotomy and blood processing
License/Certification:
Required
Drivers License - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards
Travel is required. Must provide own transportation or a valid driver's license and eligibility for Car Fleet usage is necessary.
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Terminal, 18 month appointment.
This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding
Salary:
Minimum $41,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
This position is eligible for a hiring bonus in the amount of $1,000. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation,
holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.
Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/). SMPH Academic Staff
Benefits flyer: (https://uwmadison.box.com/s/r50myohfvfd15bqltljn0g4laubuz7t0)
Additional Information:
There is a possibility this position can be extended or become renewable if there is a need for an ongoing appointment.

This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

Travel is required. Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check. See
https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#becomeauthorized-driver(click on Become an authorized driver, then click on Required criteria).
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a current resume/CV and a cover letter briefly describing your qualifications and experience. You will also be asked to provide contact information for three (3) references, including your current/most recent supervisor during the application process. References will not be contacted without prior notice.
Contact:
Brittany Brown
brittany.brown@wisc.edu
608-265-2978
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Clin Res Coord I(RE015)
Department(s):
A53-MEDICAL SCHOOL/POP HEALTH SCI/POP HLTH
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Terminal
Job Number:
296429-AS

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